Retail Beer Releases (Week of 11/29)

It looks like we're in for a great new release week in Denver coming off the Thanksgiving holiday. For the first time in a while, we're getting new releases that aren't seasonals! You'll definitely want to be on the lookout for the Sam Adams Barrel Room collection brews (covered here). Denver is one of 4 locations to get these beers and after trying the American Kriek I can assure you they're worth the $9.99 price tag. Definitely my favorite offerings from Sam Adams.

Another "can't-miss" beer is Boulevard's Bourbon Barrel Quad. This is the latest release in their Smokestack Series and it sounds fantastic. The brewers aged an abbey-style quadrupel in various oak barrels for up to a year then carefully blended them together. The end result has "very subtle cherry characteristics, with toffee and vanilla notes coming to the fore."

Oh and a collaboration beer from two little breweries in California and Delaware has finally reached Denver.  Only a limited number of bottles of Life & Limb (from Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada, in case you didn't figure that out) were sent to Colorado, and from what I understand they are going quick. In fact, some stores aren't even putting it on shelves, so be sure to ask an associate wherever you shop.  If you miss out on a bottle though there is always the tapping party at Falling Rock tonight!

New beer releases in the Denver area this week:

• Birrificio Montegioco Demon Hunter (New)
• Birrificio Montegioco Draco (New)
• Boulevard Bourbon Barrel Quad (Limited Release)
• Goose Island Pere Jacques (New)
• Sam Adams Barrel Room American Kriek (Limited Release)
• Sam Adams Barrel Room New World Tripel (Limited Release)
• Sam Adams Barrel Room Stony Brook Red (Limited Release)
• Southampton Cuvee des Fluers (New)
• Sierra Nevada/Dogfish Head Life & Limb (New/Rare)

Retail Beer Releases (Week of 11/1)

The holiday beer season is officially in full swing with no less than 12 seasonal beers hitting shelves in Denver liquor stores this week.  Additionally, Odell has released the newest beer in their Single Serve Series, Mountain Standard Reserve.  This deep mahogany ale was brewed with 400 lbs of locally grown, organic Cascade and Chinook hops from Rising Sun Farms in Paonia, CO.  Odell then double dry hopped the beer to create an even hoppier aroma that just sounds fantastic.  It's currently being sold in 750 mL corked bottles for about $15 and they are planning on brewing it once a year after the hop harvest.  I'm definitely looking forward to trying this one.

New beer releases this week:

• Breckenridge Christmas Ale (Seasonal)
• AC Golden Winterfest (Seasonal)
• Delirium Noel (Seasonal)
• Dupont Avec Les Bon Voeux (Seasonal)
• Gouden Carolous (Seasonal)
• Lagunitas Brown Shugga (Seasonal)
• Odell Mountain Standard Reserve (Limited Release)
• Rouge Santa's Private Reserve (Seasonal)
• Sam Adams Winter Lager (Seasonal)
• Samichlaus Classic (Seasonal)
• Shiner Holiday Cheer (Seasonal)
• Sierra Nevada Celebration (Seasonal)
• Tommyknocker Cocoa Porter (Seasonal)

Sam Adams barrel-aged beers are coming to Denver

Last week, the Boston Beer Company announced that they will be releasing three new beers in a series called the Samuel Adams Barrel Room Collection including a tripel, an American kriek, and a red ale. All three beers have been aged at the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery in Eastern European oak barrels originally used to age brandy in Italy.  This process has added a sweet, toasty flavor to the beers that sounds delicious.

The kicker is the the 750 mL bottles will only see a very limited distribution.  Luckily for us, Denver is one of the four locations where the beers will be available according to Sam Adams' press release (along with Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire).  No word yet on when they will be in area liquor stores, but keep your eyes open.

The Samuel Adams Barrel Room Collection includes:

• Samuel Adams New World Tripel: Pale gold in color, this ale is big, flavorful and complex. A special Belgian yeast strain adds tropical fruit and spice notes to the crisp dry ale, while Saaz hops add a subtle herbal note. (~10%ABV)
• Samuel Adams American Kriek: The intense black cherry character in this beer comes from Balaton cherries, which were discovered in Hungary and are now grown in Michigan. These special cherries are prized for their depth of flavor. The tartness from the cherries is balanced by a rich, malty characterwith toasted oak notes added from the barrel aging. (~7% ABV)
• Samuel Adams Stony Brook Red: This unique brew defies traditional beer style definition. The rich, malty brew combines notes of tart fruit from the yeast with a toasty oak character from the barrel aging. The long dry finish is almost wine-like. This is a beer that is satisfying on its own and also pairs well with many foods such as braised or roasted meats, beef stews and strong salty cheeses. (~9% ABV)

Retail Beer Releases (Week of 10/4)

This is a big new beer week in Denver with no less than 17 new or seasonal beers hitting area stores including the latest releases from Avery, Fort Collins, and Odell. Plus the return of fresh hopped beers from Great Divide and Left Hand, the introduction of Elysian into the Denver market, and Dogfish Head's innovative Pangaea arriving in town (brewed with ingredients from each continent).  However, the real prize for me is the 2009 release of Oskar Blues Ten FIDY Imperial Stout.  I've mentioned in the past that I was on hand for the brewing of this year's first batch, so it was kind of exciting to open my first can and taste the end product.  Lucky for you, my presence didn't throw things off too badly and it tasted every bit as good as last year's version!

Look for these new releases at a beer store near you:

• Avery duganA IPA (New)
• Breckenridge Lucky U IPA (New)
• Buffalo Bill's Blueberry Oatmeal Stout (New)
• Dogfish Head Pangaea (Seasonal)
• Elysian Avatar Jasmine IPA (New)
• Elysian Night Owl Pumpkin Ale (New)
• Elysian The Immortal IPA (New)
• Elysian Loser Pale Ale (New)
• Fort Collins Brewing Common Ground (New)
• Great Divide Fresh Hop Pale Ale (Seasonal)
• Great Divide Hibernation Ale (Seasonal)
• He'brew Jewbelation (Seasonal)
• Left Hand Warrior IPA (Seasonal)
• Odell India Barleywine (New)
• Oskar Blues Ten FIDY (Seasonal)
• Sam Adams Coastal Wheat (New)
• The Bruery Autumn Maple (Seasonal)

Denver Beer Fest Events: Part 1 (9/18 - 9/20)

The Denver Beer Fest begins in just two days and with over 125 beer related events going on in town over the next week there will be a lot to do and plenty of beer to drink. With so many options it'll be difficult to decide where to go, but fear not! For the next few days I'll be running an ongoing series here attempting to cover all this week's events to help you decide where to spend your precious time! The series kicks off today with a look at this weekend's happenings (9/18 - 9/20). I've highlighted what I think are a few "can't-miss" events and I'll also be updating the Google Calendar to the right with new tastings, dinners, and meet & greets as I find out about them, so check back often!

Friday, September 18th:

• Firkin Friday @ Oskar Blues - Old Bovinity milk Chub, 5:00pm
• Firkin Friday @ Dry Dock Brewing - Hazelnut Southern English Brown, 3:00pm
• Oktoberfest on Larimer Square, 5:00pm - 1:00am
• Free Sample Friday @ Great Divide, 10:00am - 10:00pm

Great Divide is giving away up to 8 free samples all day long!

• Edge City Oktoberfest Release Party @ Bristol Brewing, 5:00pm
• Hoppy Friday @ Marlowe's Restaurant, All Day
• Hoppy Hour @ Govnr's Park Tavern, 4:00pm ($12 to keep your glass)

Govnr's Park will be tapping 12 GABF beers for "Hoppy Hour" - some of which are exclusive to Gov's for the week. This will be the first time the Blue Moon Brewers have ever released their beer pre-GABF.

• Hoppy Hour @ Paramount Cafe, 4:00pm
• Blessing of the New Tap Handles @ Cheeky Monk, 7:00pm
• Breckenridge at the Beach @ Renaissance Denver Hotel, 6:00pm - 11:00pm (Featuring the Breck Brew Crew girls!)
• Beer, Cheese and Bread pairing dinner @ City O' City, 7:00pm
• Avery Brewing Meet the Brewer @ Rialto Cafe, 4:00pm - 7:00pm ($12 for a flight of 4 beers)

Rialto will be featuring a flight of four different Avery beers for only $12 including Avery IPA, White Rascal, Ellie’s Brown Ale and Out of Bounds Stout. A complimentary appetizer buffet will also be provided.

Saturday, September 19th:

• Oktoberfest on Larimer Square, 11:00am - 1:00am
• Siempre Loco Cask Ale @ Bristol Brewing, 12:00pm - 9:00pm
• Sam Adams Flights @ Marlowe's, All Day
• Denver's Best Burgers & Beers @ Paramount Cafe, All Day

Paramount Café is offering special Colorado farm raised elk, bison, ostrich, Kobe, lamb and dry-aged beef burgers. Not exactly beer specifc, but I think it sounds pretty cool.

• Festival Italiano @ Belmar, 10:00am - 7:00pm
• Beer, Brats and Burlesque! with Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret, 7:00pm ($25 per person)
• Breckenridge Brewery Meet the Brewer @ Govnr's Park, 8:00pm - 9:00pm

Govnr's Park Tavern will host a meet and greet with the brewer from Breckenridge Brewery as well as launch a beer flight program

• Cheeky Monk's Cheek to Cheek Trip, 9:00am - 3:00pm ($65 per person)

Sunday, September 20th:

• Oktoberfest on Larimer Square, 10:00am - 5:00pm
• Great Divide Dinner @ Vesta Dipping Grill, 6:00pm (Call 303-296-1970 for reservations)

Chef Matt Selby hosts this pairing of tasty food from Vesta Grill and beer pairings from Great Divide. Limited seating.

• Festival Italiano @ Belmar, 10:00am - 7:00pm
• Oskar Blues Brewers Brunch @ Steuben's, 11:00am ($30 per person)

Oskar Blues Brewery will be hosting a brunch at Steuben's in Uptown. Tickets include a four-course meal inspired by Oskar Blues selections, as well beverage pairings. Call 303-830-1001 for tickets. Hurry! Seating is limited to just 20 people!

• How to Brew Your Own Beer Class @ Govnr's Park, 3:00pm
• Rogue Brewery Meet the Brewer @ City O' City, 7:00pm

If you have an event you'd like me to add please contact me at DenverBrew@gmail.com.